Winning races was lovely

Winning races was lovely.

That’s a quote from my dad, reflecting on his time spent in Formula One during the 1970’s.

Before he passed away in October of 2011, he and I are started a project together. I had already written a fair amount about him and motorsports, so I asked him if I could start writing a series of articles on his career. I was especially interested in his time in Europe with Formula One – traveling all over the world, working with the likes of Nelson Piquet, James Hunt, Jochen Mass, and Ricardo Patrese. As a child, I’d watch the races hoping to see him during a pit stop with my mum and then lay in bed that night hoping to hear when he walked in the door. He’d often return with gifts – racing posters, decals, badges or a hat.

My dad agreed to the project and I emailed about 15 questions.

He died shortly thereafter, but he had recorded one tape for me. A year and a half later, I conjured up the courage to listen to it.

My dad working on the right rear with Shadow

It was nice to hear his voice. It was sad, but really special. It felt like a conversation. But I definitely wanted more.

He answered almost all of my questions about his Formula One experience in the 70’s. He had come a long way from racing go carts with his brother Angelo. It was clear that racing was in his blood. If you’ve spent anytime around motorsports, you’ve most likely seen this in a lot of people. To quote my dad, it was “all he wanted to do.”

My dad was fortunate because he followed his heart. He loved racing as much as my mom, me, Chantal, Stephanie, Lea and Oliver. He found his path as a teenager and never looked back. I’m sure he couldn’t picture himself doing anything else. And he knew he was lucky to break into Formula One. Back then it was near impossible. Today it’s near impossible. Some things never change.

He got started in motorsports with a French team called Pygmée that participated in Formula Renault, then F3, then F2. (It’s very hard to find anything on this team). Towards the end of his time there, a driver suggested he come work with him at Surtees, in Formula One. I’m not sure which driver this is, but based on some research, I’d say it was Jochen Mass. After my father died, Jochen left a very nice note. What a quality person.

The key to any career is getting your foot in the door. Settled at Surtees, my dad went on to have a wonderful career with Copersucar-Fittipaldi (which didn’t sound all that good), Shadow, McLaren, Toleman and Brabham. His career spanned the early 70’s through the mid 80’s; including two World Championships with James Hunt in 1976 and Nelson Piquet in 1983.

I’ve had people that knew my dad send me photos of this time period. They’re priceless. You can see all of them here.

“So many good times” my dad said of his time at McLaren and Brabham

It was fascinating to hear some of his stories. He drove a mini cooper to Monza to interview with John Surtees for his first F1 job. He described it as “a dream.” He didn’t even speak English then. Fortunately, John Surtees knew Italian from his motorcycle days.

He rattled off all the places he’d been – Sweden, Argentina, Japan, USA, Holland, and many, many more. He talked of deplorable apartheid in South Africa and witnessing Tom Pryce die at Kyalami. He talked of his favorite tracks – Hockenheim and Paul Ricard. He talked of his love for traveling and the hours and hours he spent on a plane. He described an average day at the track, from wheeling the cars out of the transporter, to warming up the engine, to the cars pulling out of the garage an onto pit lane. It sounded like poetry.

He described removing the passenger seat of his car, so he could fit in his toolbox and move from France to England to start his F1 career.

I asked him what his professional goals were during this period. “To win the World Championship.” He won 2, but not without realizing how lucky he was to be in that position.

My dad on the left

In terms of working for British teams, he spoke of their incredible ability to build outstanding race cars, and the importance of a good breakfast (ha). The Brits do enjoy a good, traditional breakfast.

He moved from McLaren to Toleman so he could spend more time writing his book. He would hand write everything and my mum would type it out.

According to my dad (and many, many others), Gordon Murray was a genius. At Brabham, he actually spent time talking to the mechanics about design ideas for the new chassis. He said “Gordon Murray designed the car for us (mechanics).”

My dad talked about reading every book and magazine prior to his F1 entry, thinking he knew a lot. When he arrived, he realized he knew nothing. It made me think how many times I’ve felt like that professionally. It also reminded me of a mantra I’ve been saying to myself recently: One of the keys to life. Be in completely over your head.

I wanted more from him. I wanted to hear more stories, more about the drivers, the funny stories, what was it like to drink champagne after winning, and some of his favorite memories. We would have got to that, but we didn’t.

I’m hoping more of my dad’s old friends, fellow mechanics and drivers continue to send me emails, or photos, or articles. It means so much to me and I love sharing them with my mum.

This is not the end. I originally wrote this post while my dad was alive for my son Oliver. I’m so glad I did, because it has turned into so much more. I think my dad loved Oliver more than Gordon Murray’s BT52.

This morning, Oliver and I woke up. grabbed a seat on the couch and watched the Australian Formula One Grand Prix. It’s our tradition and as it grows, he can look forward to hearing all of my dad’s stories.

6 Comments

Joshua Manns

Wow. It is amazing reading about such a special relationship between father and son. Extremely thought provoking. I honestly found new respect for the sport I've understood the least my whole life. Thank you for sharing.

17 Mar 2013

Alister mcneill

Daniel,
Hi. It is Alister. I was a friend of your dads in Europe. We worked at surtees together. I remember you when we both had Indy lites teams. I would love to talk to you at any time. Love to your mom
Alister

18 Mar 2013

judy preston

Lovely, just lovely. Having lost my Dad 4 years ago I know how hard it is but this is such a nice way to connect. Hope all is well with you and if you are ever back in the Columbus area give us a call - Walter & I would love to see you all.

21 Mar 2013

robert may

I remember when your parents stayed with my mum and dad for a while he was such a lovely man. I remember watching the racing on telly hoping to get to see him as well. After he tuned up dads drive on lawn mower it went round the garden so fast that it wouldn't cut the grass, but we loved riding on it. I will always remember him trying to come to grips with our old monetary system he finally mastered pounds, shillings and pence but didn't fathom out what a Bob was, ask your mum if she remembers that. Love to all rob xx

23 Mar 2013

Joseph Pasquarello and Family

Daniel: We only just learned of your father's passing yesterday. Please accept our sincere condolences for you, your mom, Chantal and Stephanie.
When I mentioned this to Vikki, we started to reminisce about when you guys came over to the house in Dublin so many times. Nothing but fond memories. Vikki maintained contact with your mom up until she moved from Indianapolis. Nick lives in Madison, WI and Vikki and I and Tarie live in Minneapolis. I wish we would have known you were in Indy as we never missed the F-1 race there. It would have been great to see you. Please give our sincere regards to your family.
Joe Pasquarello and family